Water jet engine



July 30, 1963 D. E. SINGELMANN WATER JET ENGINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledAug. 29, 1960 SEA WATER INLET VI E mm w WU AT STARTING I5 CARTRIDGEAUXILIARY GAS GENERATOR MAIN CONTROL VALVE MAIN GAS GENERATOR AUXILIARYTURBINE EXHAUST MAIN TURBINE EXHAUST PROPELLED SEA WATER FOR DRIVINGATTORNEYS.

July 30, 1963 D. E. SINGELMANN 3,099,133

WATER JET ENGINE Filed Aug. 29, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 44 4o 45 4s 47 so51 52 IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEW S'.

3,99,133 Patented July 30, W63

3,699,133 WATER LFET ENGENE Dietrich E. Singehnann, Buifalo, Nfifi,assignor to Bali Aerospace Corporation File-d Aug. 29, 1%0, Ser- No.52,378 8 Claims. (til. 66-355) The present invention relates to aquaticpropulsion systems in general, and pertains more particularly to anaquatic propulsion system utilizing a high capacity pump to effect thedischarge of a stream of water which provides the propelling thrustforce, the system, although having general use, being pmticular-ly welladapted for use in conjunction with driving torpedoes at extremely highspeeds.

By utilizing turbo-pumps constructed in accordance with copendingapplication, Serial No. 25,254, filed April 28, 1960, it is possible toprovide a propulsion unit within a torpedo body, for example, which iscapable of exerting tremendous power for driving the body with which itis associated at extremely high speeds. Accordingly, it is of primaryconcern in connection with the present invention to provide an improvedpropulsion system of the type generally described above, wherein thesystem consists essentially of gas generating means for driving aturbo-pump which, in turn, primarily through the discharge cf sea waterthrough the outlet of the pump, will effect a driving force or thrust tothe body with which it is associated, as, for example, a torpedo.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the system in accordancewith the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken through the mainturbo-pump drive assembly.

The system shown in FIGURE 1 consists essentially of a storage spaceindicated generally by the reference character ill having a quantity ofpropellant 11 therein. In the particular instance involved herein, thepropellant is shown as hydrogen peroxide. Disposed within the storagespace is a plastic bladder or bag 12 normally disposed in collapsedcondition within the storage space and having a water inlet nozzle orpipe 13 leading from the mouth of the bladder into the interior thereof,substantial-ly as is shown, and the purpose of which will be presentlyapparent. A starting cartridge assembly, indicated generally by thereference character 14 is connected through the medium of a conduit orline 15 to the storage space 10, the purpose of the stming cartridgebeing to initiate actuation of the propulsion system as hereinafter morefully described.

Reference character 16 indicates generally an auxiliary turbo-pumphaving a pump inlet line 17 and a pair of pump discharge lines 18 and19. Further, the unit 16 is provided with a turbine inlet line 2i and isprovided with a turbine exhaust line 21. One of the pump discharge lines13 leads to an auxiliary gas generator, indicated generally by thereference character 22, which has a gas discharge line 23 extendingtherefrom which is branched as shown, one such branch 24 leading back tothe storage chamber or space lit, and the other branch 25 of which leadsto the inlet side 29 of the turbine portion of the unit 16. interposedin the line 18 between the pump of theauxiliar unit 16 and the auxiliarygas generator 22 is a frangible disk 26 which normally closes this linebut will be broken to open the line under certain conditions, as morefully explained hereinafter.

The other line 19 extending from the pump side of the unit 16 extends,through a main control valve 27, to the main gas generator assembly,indicated generally by the reference character 28, the line 19 having afrangible disk 30 therein similar to the frangible disk 26 previouslydescribed but of stronger construction so that the frangible disk 36will require a greater pressure to rupture the same.

The gas generator 28 is provided with an outlet line 32 leading to theturbine inlet of a dual turbo-pump unit, indicated generally by thereference character 33. The unit 33 is characterized by having two pumpunits and a single or common turbine driving them, the two pumps havinginlets 34 and 35 and each having an outlet, such as the outlets 36 and37. The outlets 36 and 37 are so arranged as to provide the requisitethrust or propelling force for the body carrying the system, and it willbe noted that the main turbine exhaust 38 is also directed so as to aidin the propulsion of the associated device.

The unit 16 as well as the unit 33 are constructed in accordance withthe principles disclosed in the aforementioned copending application.That is to say, the pumps are directly driven by their associatedturbine and are of the centrifugal type utilizing inducer vanes orblades in conjunction with the impeller blades to permit extremely highangular velocities Without cavitation or boundary separation. When thepresent unit is used, for example, for propelling a 21 inch diametertorpedo having a length of approximately 21 feet, the unit 33, mountedlaterally of the torpedo body, is capable of delivering power up toabout 39,000 H.P., with a turbine and pump speed of about 30,000 rpm.and with the pumps delivering approximately 200 gallons per second.Tests indicate that the efiiciency of the pumps under such conditions isapproximately 84%, with the consumption of approximately 50 pounds persecond of hydrogen peroxide of 95% concentration, with the main gasgenerator delivering approximately 5,3 80 psi.

The construction of the unit 16 is preferably substantially identical toone of the forms of the invention disclosed in the previously mentionedcopending application, whereas the unit 33 is preferably constructed inaccordance with the assembly indicated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. inthis figure, it will be seen that the turbine section, which isindicated generally by the reference character 4%, is centrally disposedand on either side thereof there are pump assemblies, indicatedgenerally by reference characters 41 and 42. The turbine sectionincludes a generally centrally disposed stator plate 43 having itsperipheral portion 44 sandwiched between the two housing halves 45 and46 which, in turn, are sandwiched between the pump body portions 47 and48. The pump assemblies include the outer end plate portions 49 and 5tand end covers 51 and 52, substantially as is shown. Rotatably journaledcentrally of the assembly are a pair of shafts 53 and 54, each having aturbine wheel 55 and 56 formed on its inner end and with the two suchwheels being rigidly secured together, as by the fasteners 57. The twowheels 55 and 56 are disposed on opposite sides of the stator portion 59which is integral with the previously mentioned plate 43. The turbine isprovided with an inlet manifold 69 having discharge through the nozzles61 to the first bucket wheel or turbine wheel 56, after which theoperating fluid passes through the stator blades 62 and into the blades63 of the second turbine wheel 55.

The pump impeller assemblies 65 and 66 are constructed in accordancewith the previously mentioned copending application, and arecharacterized by their extremely high capacity and capability foroperating without cavitation at extremely high angular velocities. Thesepumps, in each case, have dual inlets, as indicated by referencecharacters 67 and 68, and discharge into the shroud portions 69 and 70thereof which lead to the discharge nozzles of the device. Utilizationof these high capacity centrifugal pumps permits extremely compact andlight weight units to be made capable of delivering the requisite powerfor driving the vehicle to which they are attached.

In operation, the starting cartridge assembly 14 is detonated toinitially build up pressure within the chamber to force the fluid 1 1through the line 17 into the pump portion of the unit 16 and this actionwill rupture the frangible disk 26 in line 18 permitting the fluid toreach the auxiliary gas generator 22, which initiates the production ofthe propellant gas which then passes up the line 23 and branches downthe lines 24 and 25. The gas passing into the chamber 10 from the line24 pressurizes the chamber, continuing the circulation of the propellantliquid to the tunbopump unit 16, and the gas passing down the line 25enters the turbine of the unit 16 and drives the same. This conditionprevails until the pump of unit 16 has achieved sufiicient speed toraise the pressure in the line 19 sufiiciently high to rupture the disk30, whereafter the propellant liquid 11 is delivered to the main gasgenerator assembly 28 through the control valve 27. The control valve 27is set at a predetermined position to control the rate of flow to themain gas generator 28 and consequent-1y control the speed at which theassociated vehicle is driven. In order to enhance delivery of thepropellant liquid '11, the ram eflfect through the nozzle 13 will forcesea water into the bladder 12. This also permits the turbo-pump unit '16to operate at lower power requirements than would be otherwise,particularly if the unit is used in a torpedo which is operating atrelatively great depths.

What is claimed is:

1. A propulsion system comprising a source of propellant liquid, anauxiliary pump having an intake connected to said source, an auxiliarygas generator connected to the discharge side of said pumpand having agas outlet connected to said source for pressurizing the same to aid inthe expulsion of said propellant to said auxiliary pump, a main gasgenerator, said auxiliary pump having its discharge side also connectedto said main gas generator, and a turbo-pump for inducting sea water andeducting the same in directional fashion to provide a propelling thrust,said main gas generator having a gas outlet leading to said turbo-pumpto drive the same.

2. A propulsion system comprising a source of propellant liquid, anauxiliary pump having an intake connected "to said source, an auxiliarygas generator connected to the discharge side of said pump and having agas outlet connected to said source for pressurizing the same to aid inthe expulsion of said propellant to said auxiliary pump, an auxiliaryturbine connected to said auxiliary pump for driving the same, saidauxiliary gas generator having an outlet connected to said turbine, amain gas generator, said auxiliary pump having its discharge side alsoconnected to said main gas generator, and a turbo-pump for inductin-gsea water and educting the same in directional fashion to provide apropelling thrust, said main gas generator having a gas outlet lead ingto said turbo-pump to drive the same.

3. A propulsion system: comprising a source of propellant liquid, anauxiliary pump having an intake connected to said source, an auxiliarygas generator connected to the discharge side of said pump and having agas outlet connected to said source for pressurizing the same to aid inthe expulsion of said propellant to said auxiliary pump, a main gasgenerator, said auxiliary pump having its discharge side also connectedto said main gas generator, and a tunbo-pump for ind-noting sea waterand rupture said frangible member to energize and start the system.

4. A propulsion system comprising a source of propellant liquid, anauxiliary pump having an intake connected to said source, an auxiliarygas generator connected to the discharge side of said pump and having agas outlet connected to said source for pressurizing the same to aid inthe expulsion of said propellant to said auxiliary pump, an auxiliaryturbine connected to said auxiliary pump for driving the same, saidauxiliary gas generator having an outlet connected to said turbine, amain gas generator, said auxiliary pump having its discharge side alsoconnected to said main gas generator, and a turbo-pump for inducting seawater and educting the same in directional fashion to provide apropelling thrust, said main gas generator having a gas outlet leadingto said turbo-pump to drive the same, the connection between saidauxiliary pump and said auxiliary gas generator having a frangibleclosure member therein, and means for initiating pressure Within saidsource to rupture said frangible member to energize and start thesystem, and a frangible closure member in the connection between saidauxiliary pump and said main gas generator, the second closure memberbeing rupturable only at a pressure higher than the rupture pressure ofthe first closure member.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein said source comprises acontainer for liquid propellant having an initially collapsed bladdertherein, inlet means for said bladder communicating exteriorly of saidcontainer permitting said bladder to inflate and fill with ambientliquid as liquid propellant is removed from said container.

6. The system according to claim 2 wherein said source comprises acontainer for liquid propellant having an initially collapsed bladdertherein, inlet means for said bladder communicating exteriorly of saidcontainer permitting said bladder to inflate and fill with ambientliquid as liquid propellant is removed from said container.

7. The system according to claim 3 wherein said source comprises acontainer for liquid propellant having an initially collapsed bladdertherein, inlet means for said bladder communicating exteriorly of saidcontainer permitting said bladder to inflate and till with ambientliquid as liquid propellant is removed from said container.

educting the same in a directional fashion to provide a i propellingthrust, said main gas generator-having a gas outlet leading to saidturbo-pump to drive the same, the connection between said auxiliary pumpand said auxiliary gas generator having a frangible closure membertherein, and means for initiating pressure within said source to 8. Thesystem according to claim 4 wherein said source comprises a containerfor liquid propellant having an initially collapsed bladder therein,inlet means for said bladder communicating exteriorly of said containerpermitting said bladder to inflate and fill with ambient liquid asliquid propellant is removed from said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS141,039 Dow July 22, 1873 220,107 Babbitt Sept. 30, 1879 1,759,511 KortMay 20, 1930 2,024,274 'Campini Dec. 17, 1935 2,064,126 Schellens et al.Dec. 15, 1936 2,083,167 Lamere June 8, 1937 2,168,726 Whittle Aug. 8,1939 2,358,744 Stepanofi Sept. 19, 1944 2,408,111 flruax Sept. 24, 19462,576,814 Stalker Nov. 27, 1951 2,610,464 vKnoll Sept. 16, 19522,648,196 Mullen Aug. 11, 1953 2,671,312 Roy Mar. 9, 1954 2,697,482Blizard Dec. 21, 1954 2,721,788 Schad Oct. 25, 1955 2,763,126 HalfordSept. 18, 1956 2,949,007 Aldrich et al. Aug. 16, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS657,136 Germany Feb. 25, 1938

1. A PROPULSION SYSTEM COMPRISING A SOURCE OF PROPELLANT LIQUID, ANAUXILIARY PUMP HAVING AND INTAKE CONNECTED TO SAID SOURCE, AND AUXILIARYGAS GENERATOR CONNECTED TO THE DISCHARGE SIDE OF SAID PUMP AND HAVING AGAS OUTLET CONNECTED TO SAID SOURCE FOR PRESSURIZING THE SAME TO AID INTHE EXPULSION OF SAID PROPELLANT TO SAID AUXIALIARY PUMP, A MAIN GASGENERATOR, SAID AUXILIARY PUMP HAVING ITS DISCHARGE SIDE ALSO CONNECTEDTO SAID MAIN GAS GENERATOR, AND A TURBO-PUMP FOR INDUCTING SEA WATER ANDEDUCTING THE SAME IN DIRECTIONS FASHION TO PROVIDE A PRO-